Taxonomic analysis of familial and longitudinal gut microbiome profiles in eight co-housed adult dogs

This study examines the gut microbiome composition and its temporal variation in a cohort of eight purebred adult dogs, sampled across multiple time points over a one-year period. The aim was to determine the taxonomic structure and potential shifts in microbial communities influenced by familial relatedness and gestational stages. A total of 102 fecal samples were collected, with 40 samples additionally processed using an alternative DNA isolation protocol to assess consistency in taxonomic outcomes. Microbial community composition was analyzed through sequencing the full 16S rRNA gene using the MinION platform from Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT). The insights derived from this data enhance understanding of microbial identity, divergence in familial lineages, and dynamic taxonomic shifts occurring during gestation.